£32,000
offers 0
2004 Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet
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Highlights
- One of only 3,200 996 Turbo Cabriolets made
- Only four owners from new
- Gearbox recently replaced
- Extensive service history
- MOT valid to June 2024
The Appeal
Anyone who’s not owned a Porsche 911 before must understand that it isn’t just the novelty value of having a rear-engined sports-car which has won the model legions of fans. It is famously quick and very nimble, and is probably best summed up as a supercar in every respect bar its price. It’s appreciated for its good looks, too, which have evolved just enough but never too much since the 911’s launch in 1963.
The reassuringly constant silhouette of the 911 testifies that Porsche values its heritage, but it hasn’t been afraid to break with tradition and the new model introduced in 1997, known by its factory designation 996, broke with tradition in a major way. It was not only built on an all-new platform and substantially restyled, but also was the first 911 to use a water-cooled engine. Some long-time Porsche enthusiasts were shocked that it should no longer be the air-cooled sports-car which they so loved but, ultimately, the 996 has become greatly admired on its own account.
The base 996 had a top speed of 170mph, but for real performance enthusiasts there were certain models which put an even greater emphasis on speed and handling. The Turbo model went on sale in 2000 with a 190mph top speed, and in 2004 it was joined by the Turbo Cabriolet – the first turbocharged 911 cabriolet since 1989 – which was good for 187mph, even with the extra weight of the electric folding roof.
Like we said, enthusiasts grew to love the 996. In its various guises, it sold 175,000 units, making it that most popular 911 ever. However, the Turbo Cabriolet was effectively a single-year model, being introduced just as the 996 was being phased out, and only a little over 3,200 were made.
It’s fast, it’s rare and it’s a joy to take out on a sunny day with the roof down. It also happens that this example is an extremely good and highly original one, with just four owners from new. It presents and drives beautifully, and if you’re looking for a supercar which you can enjoy all year round, this has to be the car for you.
The History and Paperwork
- Sold new in 2004 through Porsche Centre Solihull
- Purchased by the fourth and most recent private owner in 2016
- Offered for sale with the latest V5, MOT certificates issued between 2018 and 2022, a handful of invoices and the original book pack containing the owner’s manual, service history and more
The Interior
- All-original condition with little evidence of age
- Power windows and seats
- Interior protectant applied in 2016
One does not necessarily expect a high-performance sports-car to offer much in the way of comfort or luxury but, in many ways, the 911 Turbo is not like other supercars. The interior is just one instance of that, with its leather upholstery, soft carpets and well-stocked facia.
The power seats have a sporty feel about them – they are firm, but not hard – and are in a lovely condition now that the original leather is just beginning to mellow and acquire a very light patina. The rear seats are in excellent condition, presumably having seen very little use. For comfort, soft carpets and floor mats are provided, and these have been kept clean and in excellent condition.
Around the interior, everything appears to be in the very best condition. The dash, centre console and doors all present beautifully, with no obvious blemishes. Indeed, if it were not for the lightly creased leather seats, you could almost take this to be a brand-new interior.
The luggage bay under the bonnet also stands out for its condition and cleanliness. Even though it’s a relatively capacious space for a sports-car to be provided with, it certainly has not been overused.
The Exterior
- Believed to be wearing its original metallic black paint
- Five-spoke alloys in excellent condition
- Includes a detachable hardtop
Evidently a car which has been cherished from new, this 911 appears in excellent and, to the best of our knowledge, all-original condition. The deep black paint presents extremely well, with a handsome metallic sparkle where the sun hits it, and the alloy wheels are outstanding. They exhibit no scuffs and are another feature of the car which could almost be described as like-new.
Of course, bidders will bear in mind that the Porsche is now approaching 20 years old and has been in use for all its life, so it has picked up some cosmetic blemishes, but only very few, and those we saw were generally miniscule. Unfortunately, there is one larger scratch at the nearside corner of the front bumper, and the protective skirt below the bumper sports a few scrapes, but in all other respects this is an extraordinarily good car.
The glass, badges and other fittings are in fine order, and so too is the folding hood, which shows bears just a few very light marks in keeping with its age.
Also included with the car is a detachable hardtop, making it a true year-round sports car. We noticed the hardtop has one very slight dimple just above the rear window but, otherwise, it, too, is in excellent condition.
The Mechanics
- MOT valid to June 2024
- Regularly serviced and maintained
- Recently fitted with a replacement gearbox
- Drives beautifully
From our experience with this 911, we can only come to the conclusion that it is in excellent mechanical condition. It starts on the button, runs well and drives very smoothly. The gear-changes through the automatic transmission are not perceptible and the engine will bark if you put your foot down, but otherwise remains pleasingly quiet and unobtrusive.
The suspension, brakes and steering seemed to be in good order, but you might prefer to defer to the opinion of an MOT tester. The Porsche passed its MOT in June with no advisories bar ‘oil leak, but not excessive’, so that goes very much in its favour.
The service book shows that it has received regularly servicing across the whole of its life, but apart from that it seems to have required very little attention. The only major work for which there is evidence is the gearbox replacement in the spring of 2023, which was undertaken by Weston Porsche Specialist. A ‘good second-hand gearbox’ was installed in place of the original for a total cost of £7,838.80.
The Summary
One of the rarest variants of the 996 Porsche, this 911 Turbo Cabriolet also happens to be an excellent example of its type. Seemingly all original and very well preserved, it looks great and, with its excellent mechanical condition, should prove to be a faithful and enjoyable car for many years to come. With its hardtop and soft-top options, it’s surely the perfect sports car for summer and winter, so place your bids now while you have the chance.
BEFORE YOU BUY
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:
✓ If the seller is registered as a private seller, consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not apply. Car & Classic’s return policy applies.
✓ A non-refundable deposit will be payable if you are the winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for details.
✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is, Where Is’ basis and without warranty. A full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase and bidding is highly recommended. Photos and descriptions are for guidance purposes only.
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.
✓ UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check, to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing.
✓ Buyers are responsible for vehicle collection or delivery.
Vehicle specification
- Year 2004
- Make Porsche
- Model 911 Turbo
- Colour Black
- Odometer 53,848 Miles
- Engine size 3596
Listing Details
- Seller Type Trade
- Town Beckenham
- Location Kent
- Country United Kingdom
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